Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire discussion, chapters 10-18

August 2010 grop reread of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -- this thread is for the following chapters:

10. Mayhem at the Ministry
11. Aboard the Hogwarts Express
12. The Triwizard Tournament
13. Mad-Eye Moody
14. The Unforgivable Curses
15. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang
16. The Goblet of Fire
17. The Four Champions
18. The Weighing of the Wands

I noticed on this reread that Summoning Charms pop up a LOT before we ever get to the dragon stuff. I think the first time it's mentioned is chapter 11 when Hermione "buried herself once more in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, and started trying to learn a Summoning Charm." But the charm is mentioned loads of times between here and Harry realizing he needs to learn it!

How can you not love Malfoy the Amazing Bouncing Ferret? :) Such a great way to make us fond of Moody.

I like that Harry was naturally decent at throwing off the Imperius Curse. Something about the strength of character it seems to imply. Goes hand in hand with being rubbish at Occlumency. He's too transparent to hide his thoughts, too honestly good to be controlled.

And Harry is chosen as a champion. We all knew that was coming! I love that Harry trips on his robes on the way up to the top table. Shows a certain vulnerability I can't resist. One of the things I love about Harry is how he tries to blend in, be normal, and is brought to the spotlight time and again against his will.

I don't know how many times I've read this book, but just this time for the first time I noticed there is a typo in the note Harry writes Sirius in "The Weighing of the Wands" chapter. The sentence reads "I don't who put my...." I can't believe this is the first time I noticed it! Anyone else's copy have that mistake?

i have that typo in my book too. i just checked.

and yet We read it correctly! How great is the human mind!

#2
Malfoy=ferret; and yet this makes me feel sorry for Malfoy